United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, May 01, 2003 Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this important legislation that will enable us to effectively combat the global scourges of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. I am grateful for the bipartisan leadership of my colleagues who authored and were original co-sponsors of this bill especially Chairman Hyde, Ranking Member Lantos, Mr. Weldon, Ms. Lee, and Mr. Leach.    This legislation enables the United States to take strong leadership role to ameliorate, and, we hope, ultimately to eradicate one of the most devastating diseases that man has ever encountered. We count the victims of HIV/AIDS in the tens and hundreds of millions, worldwide. It is a disease that affects men and women, adults and children. Its impact is most devastating on the poorest, those with the least capacity to deal with the ravages of this disease or to act effectively to prevent its spread. By affecting so many millions across societal cross-sections, this disease presents a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented magnitude. Furthermore, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a potentially destabilizing force that presents a grave threat to international security.    The African nations have been especially hard hit by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Together, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and related diseases are undermining agriculture production throughout Africa--aggravating disease with hunger.    This bill will address these global problems by authorizing $15 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, through a comprehensive five-year integrated strategy. This legislation will use these funds effectively by promoting inter-agency coordination, supporting the expansions of public/private partnerships, and using targeted programs that will especially benefit children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.    Of course we must continue to work aggressively to combat the spread of this disease here in the United States and to continue our efforts to research a cure and to aid our own countrymen afflicted with this terrible illness.    I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this vital legislation to attack one of the most significant threats to global health. I am pleased with the bill that the International Relations Committee passed, and I urge my colleagues to support his bill.